Floyd Mayweather has been in this position before. In 2008, six months after defeating Ricky Hatton, Mayweather announced his retirement from boxing.
He already had defeated Oscar De La Hoya in a fight that, at the time, set records for live gate, pay-per-view buys and purse. Mayweather was 39-0, on top of his game and securely on top of the sport.
Seven years later, not much has changed. Mayweather continued to set and break records while keeping his record unblemished.
Mayweather defeated Andre Berto on Saturday, much as the odds predicted he would, by unanimous decision.
Dominant against Berto
Mayweather stated all along his 49th fight would be his final boxing match.
Mayweather was more active than Berto -- he out-landed him 232-83 -- and he was more efficient, landing 57 percent of his total punches, according to CompuBox statistics. On defense, Mayweather held Berto to a 17 percent connect percentage, lowest for any opponent of Mayweather’s since a 2009 fight against Juan Manuel Marquez (12 percent).
In Mayweather’s estimation, he is TBE (The Best Ever). In August, Mayweather ranked himself ahead of Roberto Duran, Pernell Whitaker, Julio Cesar Chavez and Muhammad Ali, to name a few.
Comparing Mayweather to legends
Should this retirement stick, Mayweather wouldn’t be the first to retire with no losses on his record. He is now in the company of Rocky Marciano and Joe Calzaghe, boxers who retired after winning all of their fights.
Mayweather wouldn’t have the most consecutive wins in a career, either. Chavez won 87 consecutive fights to start his career. He finished his career with 107 wins, more than double Mayweather’s 49.
Mayweather has the same number of wins in title fights (26) as former heavyweight champion Joe Louis, who was 26-1 in such fights.
Mayweather is one of three fighters to win titles in five weight classes. Also on that list: Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns. Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya -- arguably Mayweather’s two biggest wins -- each won titles in six weight classes.
Many of Mayweather’s records have been reached or eclipsed by others. The combination of his accomplishments and his perfect record, however, give him a strong case as boxing’s best.